Children of Bodom

"Black metal", "death metal", "thrash metal", "progressive metal"... plenty of catchy phrases have been used to describe the uncompromising aggression of the Finnish group Children Of Bodom - all of them depicting a full-on, hardcore band screaming incendiary lyrics over demonic guitars. It has seen them become one of the most successful Finnish bands of all time. Formed by childhood friends singer Alexi Waiho and drummer Jaska Raatikainen in 1993, they were originally called IneartheD and released their first album Something Wild in 1997 after changing their name to Children Of Bodom (Lake Bodom is near their home in Espoo). Touring Europe to promote it, the band gradually built a dedicated following enhanced by their second album Hatebreeder (1998), including the successful single Downfall. However, it was their third album Follow The Reaper (2000) which really established them as an international force to be reckoned with. The release of Hate Crew Deathroll (2002) triggered their first world tour and consequent breakthrough in the USA, followed by Are You Dead Yet? (2004), saw them incorporating a simpler, more industrial sound. Despite a shoulder injury incapacitating Alexi Laiho, they came back strong in 2007 with Blooddrunk followed by covers album Skeletons In The Closet (2009), which included distinctive versions of tracks by Britney Spears, Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden.